I have- and I kid you not- 4 half written blog posts lying in various places: 2 drafts on this blog, 2 as word documents, and I probably have random ideas scribbled in note books that adorn my desk and bed side table. For the most part, the themes center around South Africa, and they are … More This Winter
Hello again, from a very grey, wet, morbidly oppressive European January. I’m tucked away in my kitchen- it has the most amount of natural light in our apartment, but I still need the overhead light on. On the other side of the door, the girls have spread their toys as far as I allow … More En Vacance
Much excitement has been rumbling around our home this week. Early rising, strange dreams, and much happiness at the idea of seeing our family. Mingled in with that has been thoughts of friends leaving Strasbourg, and how blessed we have been in the last few months to have them in our lives. We’ve spent time … More On the plane, down south.
I’ve spent 18 months encouraging myself to not miss home. I’ve waxed lyrically about the perks of my European town. Cycle paths. Free schooling. Efficient Effective state medical. A most amazing group of fabulous international and local friends. That I can be a SAHM. Guilt free. Internet connectivity. Cheap internet connectivity. Public transport. German beer. … More A Sense-ation
IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BIKE So you know how I wrote last month about Anton and his enthusiasm for bicycles? Well, he finished reading that particular post, and almost immediately sent me a message (he was in the States) to ask where the rest was- about me and him mountain biking in the wine-lands the … More Le Velo, deuxieme partie
FOLLOWING THE SUN My French classes have come to an end, and I had a month of semi-normality before the schools broke up for summer holidays. This post has been half written for the last 4 weeks but other posts got in the way, so it remained unedited for that time. However the weather outside … More Northern hemisphere apartment life
A perspective into European life On Sunday last weekend, after breakfast, we jumped on our bikes, and headed out for a Sunday morning cycle. For the most part, we were all very tired after a late night the night prior, having entertained. But since it was Mothers Day here, and I had no aspirations to … More Summer- life in Europe- Part 1
I’m branching out! Its early days though, so there is a lot to still be done. A few of my favourite things.
There is something about the 21st century that is getting up my nose. Â Back in the ‘old ages’, writing opinion pieces was limited to real journalists, and the occasional ‘letters to the editor’, which were ususally edited. The norm now is that anybody and everybody spouts opinions in several very public arenas. Â I … More A little vent.
These are the buildings we pass by when on the tram en route to school: Â Office of admin- a little bit like Home Affairs and the Dept of Motor vehicles all rolled into one This is the Palais du Rhin
When we announced to various people last year that we were moving to France, one of the many responses were that of “How exciting for you to be going to live in the food capital of the world!” I was quick to point out that I had no interest in working as a chef in … More Vapiano
Growing up on Netherby Farm means that I am no stranger to real winters. Boston itself is nestled in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg, which is located roughly 1500m altitude. Winter in the most part of South Africa is dry- it is only the Western Cape region that has real rain to speak of … More Winter
Muesli as a breakfast cereal here in Strasbourg is not tres popular. Certainly the shelf space dedicated to it is a quarter of that which is would take up in South Africa. That which you can find is often very expensive and most definitely not value for money. The same goes for German Muesli. In … More Home-made Muesli
Today is a big day for some Moms, Dads, and little ones on the Inlands of SA- the last day of the Summer Holiday. I might be 4 and a half months ahead of you in this regard, so I have a pretty good idea of what you are feeling. Yes, it is a somewhat … More The New South African School Year
Quiet, just a little bit of stillness for a little while. I have a cup of tea at my wrist, tunes playing on my docking station, lentils braising on my stove, to accompany the grilled… maybe poached… chicken breasts I am having for dinner, and the girls are wrapped up in a little bit of … More 5 Minutes
I can hardly believe that it already the 24th of December. This time last year we were having a splendid time with family and friends in KwaZulu Natal. The weather was amazing, the company was even better, and the happy vibe just washed over us for 2 joyful weeks. So much has happened this year, … More My Christmas Greetings
Several decades ago, before the advent of Google apps on our clever phones, Google on our aging laptops, or even the Britannica in the school library, my Mum bought us Carr children a junior version of an encyclopedia- Childcraft. It had 15 hard covered, large print, easy to read for a 10 year old encyclopedic … More Christmas Traditions & Lore
There is one thing for certain that many South African’s living near Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, London, Edinburgh and Dublin cannot do easily: have a private, loud conversation in Afrikaans without running the risk that some stranger will chip in with their 10c opinion. I am much more fortunate here in Strasbourg. I think the … More DIE TAAL
These photo’s were omitted last night, you’ll get an idea of what our street looks like:
Pinot, Bretzels, and Cathedrals 